As of February 01, 2026, the average annual salary for character design in the US is $95,822, equivalent to $46 per hour, $1,843 weekly, or $7,985 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for character design in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for character design in the US vary widely, spanning from $77,978 to $109,673. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($86,482) and 75th percentile ($103,072), while top earners (90th percentile) make $109,673 per year. This $16,590 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Collaboration or Software Design, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia character design often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 69 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
